Why Mortal Kombat 1 Needs to Embrace a New Strategy for Today's Gamers

The upcoming Mortal Kombat 1 game marks a new narrative era for the franchise as Fire God Liu Kang creates a fresh timeline, hoping to avoid the violent and time-shattering conflicts of the previous one. Known for their deep and cinematic narratives, NetherRealm Studios should steer clear of featuring multiple endings in this reboot, instead focusing on crafting a clear and effective story that can serve as a strong foundation for future entries. The game's first trailer, released in May, offered fans a glimpse into the new timeline, featuring classic characters whose peaceful lives are disrupted by the appearance of Shang Tsung through a dimensional rift. While much of the narrative is still kept under wraps, the trailer did reveal the official canon ending of Mortal Kombat 11.

Mortal Kombat 11's Multiple Endings Were Unnecessary

The Mortal Kombat 11 base release offers three different endings, two of which depict Liu Kang acquiring god-like powers and selecting an advisor, and one in which the antagonist Kronika kills Liu Kang. However, the ending where Liu Kang emerges victorious and chooses Raiden as his advisor is considered to be the canon ending, as the other two do not align with the series' longstanding narrative.

In contrast, Injustice 2 presents multiple endings, with both paths being equally plausible. The game establishes a clear trajectory for both Batman's and Superman's stories to unfold realistically. Players have the freedom to decide which side they want to take and participate in a series of battles to bring their chosen character's plan to fruition. As of now, the game has not received any story continuation, and both endings provide a satisfying conclusion to the two-game narrative.

Mortal Kombat 1 Needs A Definitive Ending

The use of multiple endings in Mortal Kombat 11 highlights a potential issue with diluting the impact of a true ending. While a negative outcome can be fitting for failure, an additional positive ending can often add unnecessary confusion to a storyline. Leaving some questions unanswered at the conclusion of a narrative can actually generate excitement for future installments. However, it's important not to leave the audience guessing about the ending for years until a new game is released. Mortal Kombat 11 fell into this trap by providing two different endings, one of which was confirmed as canon in Aftermath, while the other offered players a choice between good and evil, similar to Injustice 2.

Mortal Kombat 1 is a crucial installment for the series as it sets the foundation for future entries. It is essential for the game to establish a definitive and robust storyline that showcases exceptional character development. Unlike NetherRealm's recent approach of multiple endings, Mortal Kombat 1 should focus on delivering a profound and coherent narrative with one conclusive ending. This approach will signify a renewed commitment to the series' depth and quality. With proper execution, Mortal Kombat 1 has the potential to introduce the best universe iteration to date. The game is set to release on September 19, 2023, for PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.